DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9, 2 March 1905, Page 19

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

The new CUthohc church at Otautau, in the lUvciton parish, will be solemnly blessed and opened on Sunday next. The Rev. Father Roney, S.J., will be engaged giving a misision in the Qucenstown parish until Ash Wednesday. Om Sunday last the Rev. Father Brown, S.J., and the Rev. Father ClafTey, S.J., opened a mission in the Wrey's Bush parish. The Rev. Father Morrogh, S.J., is at present in River^dale. Owin|g to the unseasonable weather and other causes the attendance at the Garnsun Hall, Dunedin, on Monday evening, at the entertainment in aid of the Poit Chalmers Catholic CHurch buildtng fund, was o.nly moderate. The audience made up in enthusiasm what it lacked in numbers, as nearly every item was einoied. The programme was contributed to by local vocalists and instrumentalists, assisted by members of the crew of H.M.S. 'Phoebe.' Miss G. Meenan, "who was the only lady vocalist, gave a fnished rendering of c I Dome song ' and ' The river of years.' Two excellent items were a violin solo by Mr. McDonald and a cornet solo by Mr. Mayall, while Mr Whitlow gave a clever exhibition of club-swinging, and also a recitation, ' Kissing Cuip'sl race.' The gentleman vocalists were Messrs Mason (' 'Ihe admiral's broom ' a n <l ' The skipper '), Ben Stevens (' The lar.d acios,s the sea '), Shervvell (' Queejn of angels ' and l Shade of the palm '). Humorous vocal items were given by Messrs. Lochrane and Percy James, the former also contributing a stump speedh. A vulgar stage-Irishman piece — a clumsy parody on ' The line old Kng-lish gentleman '—met with a freezing reception, the clergy and several other members of the audience rising during the performance and leaving the hall. It was the sole blot on an otherwise fine entertainment, but, incidentally, it served to show that the 'Tablet's' crusade against the stage Irishman is bearing gooid truit An amusing sketch by members of tfre crew of H.M.S. ' Phoebe ' completed the programme, the performance ending with the National Anthem. Mr. Baxter Buckley acted as accompanist throughout the evening. Before the audience dispersed Mr. P. Ilally, on behalf of Rev. Father Howard, thanwed the performers for their services and those present for their attendance.